High school students and college students drop out of school for many reasons, but a few core problems can be the catalyst behind their decision. Students who don't complete high school are usually eligible to take GED tests. According to Georgetown University's "The College Payoff," high school dropouts have average lifetime earnings of $973,000, high school graduates $1.3 million and college graduates with bachelor's degrees around $2.3 million. Dropping out is a personal decision, but many students feel like it's the best option if they have personal or academic problems that make school attendance a burdensome responsibility.

Pregnancy and Parenthood

Teen pregnancy can pose concerns for students trying to complete high school academic requirements. Nearly one-third of teen girls who drop out of high school state early pregnancy and parenthood as keys reason for their decision, according to TheNationalCampaign.org. Pregnant teens may feel embarrassed about going back to school, struggle with morning sickness or fatigue, and have difficulty keeping up with their classwork. Taking care of a baby is time-consuming, so many may not have the energy to complete high school. Pregnancy also affects college students, but with the availability of online courses and the maturity that comes with adulthood, college-age women often have the opportunity to complete college coursework.

Boredom

Students often drop out of high school and college due to apathy or boredom. High school students often report that academic content isn't interesting and they don't have a personal connection with their teachers, according to an article in "Psychology Today." High school dropouts and college students may have other alternatives that seem more appealing, such as getting a job or starting a career. High school students who aren't interested in going to college may not see the value of a high school education. Boredom is a problem that must be addressed by students, parents, school faculty and education boards to see if better course offerings and more student-teacher interactions would help.

A300 mobile placeholder

Academic Struggles

High school and college students often drop out because they struggle academically and don't think they'll have the GPA or credits necessary to graduate. Some high school students don't want to risk failing, which could mean summer school or another year of high school. College students' academic problems often lead to a loss of scholarships or grants and may result in having to repeat classes to earn needed credits.

Lack of Parental Support

The lack of parental involvement is a problem that often leads to higher dropout rates, especially with high school students. Parents play an important role when it comes to high school attendance. High school dropouts often have parents who weren't engaged or concerned with their academic success. If a parent doesn't encourage her child to stay in school, show interest in classes and teachers, communicate with administration, or pay attention to homework assignments, the child might not see any reason to follow through with the coursework. When parents don't prioritize their child's high school education, the child may choose to drop out, according to an article on the United Way website.

Money

Some high school students and college students drop out because they want to work to earn money. They may need money to finance a car, pay for auto insurance, buy clothes or electronics, pay for housing or support unhealthy addictions. Most high school and college students don't have the time and energy to go to school all day, complete homework assignments and still work enough hours to support lofty expenses. Dropouts who are concerned about their immediate, short-term financial situation may see a full-time job as the best way to maintain the lifestyle they desire.

References

Photo Credits

BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images

About the Author

As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read (and graded!) over the years. Her experiences as vice-president of an energy consulting firm have given her the opportunity to explore business writing and HR. Tucker has a BA and holds Ohio teaching credentials.